Mayo champions successfully navigate London journey

Mayo senior football champions Ballina Stephenites have successfully negotiated their Connacht quarterfinal clash with North London Shamrocks, winning by 0-15 to 0-9 in Ruislip.

A strong start laid the platform for victory, though it wasn't as straightforward as the scoreline would suggest, with the London champions creating a few good goal chances, especially in the first half.

Indeed, Shamrocks squandered a great opportunity to take the lead towards the end of the first quarter when Michael Carroll shot wide from the penalty spot.

Ballina were leading 0-3 to 0-1 at that stage thanks to scores from Evan Regan (two) and Frank Irwin, with the solitary reply coming from Joe McGill, and after the penalty let-off, they took control to lead by five at the break (0-9 to 0-4).

Depite an early second-half free by Regan, Shamrocks had the gap reduced to four with 20 minutes still remaining after back-to-back points by substitute Thomas Lenihan and McGill (free).

The Mayo champions moved up a gear from there, however, scoring five on the trot, including two in a row by Luke Doherty and one by Ciaran Treacy moments after he took to the field to replace Luke Feeney.

Now 0-15 to 0-6 ahead, the Stephenites ran the bench in the knowledge that they would have a Connacht semi-final against Sligo champions Coolera/Strandhill to prepare for upon returning to Ireland.

North London Shamrocks, to their credit, kept going and landed the final three points of the game to give the scoreboard a respectable look at full-time.

Ballina Stephenites: D. Clarke; L. Golden, P. O'Hora (0-1), D. Tighe; C. Boland, S. Callinan, L. Jordan; M. Murray (0-1), F. Irwin (0-2f); L. Doherty (0-3), C. McStay, N. Feeney (0-1); E. Regan (0-5, 3f, 1m), L. Feeney, B. Collins (0-1).

Subs used: D. Thornton, C. Treacy (0-1), D. O'Mahoney, R. Morrin, J. Doherty.

North London Shamrocks: G. Brody; N. McElwaine, L. Kelly, E. Flanagan; S. McMonagle, C. McGonigle, C. Diver (0-3); J. McGill (0-4, 2f), U. Boyle; D. Clarke, O. Hilley, M. Miller; M. Carroll (0-1), C. McKelvey, R. Rafferty.

Subs used: T. Lenihan (0-1), J. Sweeney, E. McHugh, P. Dolan, J. Hynes.

Referee: C. Ryan (Galway).